Man, 34, arrested on suspicion of rape at exclusive London members’ club
A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape at London’s exclusive Groucho Club in Soho, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.
The suspect was detained on Saturday evening at an address in Hertfordshire in connection with the alleged assault at the private members’ club.
The arrest follows an investigation by detectives from the central west public protection team into reports of a serious sexual offence at the Dean Street venue.
The alleged incident took place on November 13 at the famous private members’ club on Dean Street in London’s Soho district.
Scotland Yard launched their investigation following reports of a woman being raped inside the premises.
“At this stage, there is no suggestion that employees of the venue were involved in the commission of the offence,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
The suspect remains in police custody following his arrest on Saturday evening.
The woman who reported the assault is currently receiving support from specialist officers, according to Scotland Yard.
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Westminster City Council took action last month by suspending the Groucho Club’s operating licence for up to 28 days from November 26.
It was announced just as the lucrative festive season began.
The decision came after police raised concerns during an initial hearing that the venue had breached its licensing conditions and was the scene of a serious criminal offence.
Last Tuesday, the Groucho Club’s chief executive, Elli Jafari, wrote to members and apologised for the temporary closure. She said that she had taken the application to review its licence “very seriously”.
“The club’s licence has been suspended by agreement with Westminster city council and we have made the decision to close the club pending a full hearing before Christmas,” Jafari, the first woman appointed to the role, said.
A council spokesperson said: “Following a request from the Metropolitan police and with the agreement of the operator, the council’s licensing subcommittee has decided to suspend the Groucho Club’s licence with immediate effect on the basis that the premises is associated with serious crime.
“This decision follows reports that a serious crime may have taken place at the premises in circumstances linked to a breach in the premises’ licensing conditions. The allegations are subject to an ongoing police investigation and we cannot comment further at this stage.”